Plans begin for Port Pirie's future

By Eloise Fuss and Khama Reid

Approval of Port Pirie's lead smelter transformation has sent waves of optimism through Port Pirie and the wider region. Development bodies, business investors, and home owners already have their sights set on future opportunities in the Spencer Gulf city.

On Friday South Australian Premier Jay Weatherall signed off on the $514 million project, a tick which will see the 120-year-old smelter transformed into an advanced metals recovery and refining operation, reducing its toxic emissions.

Chief Executive Officer for Regional Development Australia (RDA) Yorke and Mid North, Kelly-Ann Saffin, says they're well underway in determining how to capitalise on the announcement and build the region.

"When Friday's final announcement came through with the State Government I think we all took a big sigh of relief.

"We have actually already moved on with council and both of our local members into looking at the next stage of this operation, which is about how we use this opportunity to really underpin the economic success of Port Pirie beyond just the Nyrstar smelter."

Ms Saffin says the smelter upgrade approval offers confidence and security for investors, who have been showing increasing interest in the city.

Finding tenants for empty commercial buildings and utilising available industrial land in Port Pirie's north is among the RDA priorities.

Also on the board's agenda is developing labour hire services in the city, with hopes it could cater for a range of businesses working across the state's north.

With an estimated 35,000 people within driving distance from the city, the RDA additionally wants to see Port Pirie's retail and bulky goods industry develop to secure its position as a shopping hub.

Real estate is also among the sectors set to receive a boost from the smelter re-development.

Local real estate agent Brodie Lavis told ABC News commercial inquiries have already started to roll in, while some residential investors have asked to put their sales on-hold in view of a market pick-up.

"Certainly it will make a huge impact to the Pirie market," he said.

"I think it will build confidence in the town, sales and the market will certainly pick up, the median sale price will pick up."

Ms Saffin says while RDA is celebrating the smelter announcement, she acknowledges it's an opportunity that shouldn't be smothered.

"What's really important is it's steady growth. Everybody's aware of, I suppose it's called the Broken Hill factor, where you boom and you bust.

"So what has been happening in the discussions, I understand, between Council and Nyrstar is a balance has been hit between investment that allows local businesses to grow and input and benefit, but doesn't overcook the market."

Executive officer of the Upper Spencer Gulf Common Purpose Group, Anita Crisp, hopes benefits from the smelter redevelopment will flow beyond Port Pirie and offer a boost to the wider region.

She says the Nyrstar redevelopment strengthens the region's already solid industrial reputation, and should additionally boost investor confidence in Port Augusta and Whyalla.

Ms Crisp says it's these kind of initiatives and upgrades that will provide ongoing security to the Upper Spencer Gulf.

"It just provides that additional sense of confidence that this region can deliver, that it has the skill set and that it has the capability for new investments and new industry to come into the region."